Clinical Education

Dan completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities in the Kinesiology and Coaching prior to pursuing his doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Regis University in Denver, CO. Dan has a broad background in both orthopedic and neurologic conditions, having practiced extensively in both settings. He became a board-certified Neurological Clinical Specialist in 2021. He has been with STEP Therapies since 2011 and is currently the Director of Orthopedics there. He has strong professional interests in anatomy and neuroscience, manual therapy, dry needling, corrective exercise and pain science. He has pursued significant education and specialization in the performance of dry needling and has received his advanced certification.

Dan also has a very strong interest in education and academics and seeks to advance his ability to help, teach and mentor students as associate faculty and a clinical instructor. Dan thoroughly enjoys and appreciates the opportunity to host and mentor UMN DPT students in order to advance their knowledge and skills, their potential, and become successful therapists.

STEP PHYSICAL THERAPY, INC

Ryan Completed his undergraduate degree from Southwest Minnesota State University in Biology. He later completed his Doctor of Physical Therapy training through the Mayo School of Health Sciences. He is a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist since 2010. Ryan has been a member of the Minnesota American Physical Therapy Association Research Committee since 2013. He has presented locally on the management of cervicogenic headaches, evaluation and treatment of the cervical spine, treatment of thoracic dysfunctions, implementing clinical practice guidelines and clinical prediction rules into the clinical practice, and using a risk management approach for the treatment of low back pain.

Ryan is the clinical supervisor of the M Health Fairview Sport and PT clinic in Elk River, MN and the M Health Fairview Rehab clinic in Princeton, MN. The M Health Fairview Sport and PT clinic provides physical therapy services for general orthopedic conditions, while the M Health Fairview Rehab clinic provides patient care for general orthopedic, neurological, pelvic flor, and cancer rehab treatments. Ryan provides specialized treatments for injuries related to throwing, running, and gymnastics/dance.

Ryan has had the pleasure of working with many students. He has a strong desire to help new and seasoned therapists to improve their clinical reasoning skills and treatment abilities to maximize outcomes in the realm of physical therapy.

M Health Fairview Rehab - Elk River

BA in Physical Education with an emphasis in Athletic Training from Luther College

Doctorate of Physical Therapy from University of Iowa

Dan earned his BS in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota. After working as a Personal Trainer for a few years, he returned to the UMN to pursue and obtain his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree. Since graduating, he has worked at the MHealth Fairview East Bank campus with a passion for acute patient care and a growing interest for student teaching. Dan is an APTA credentialed clinical instructor with multiple years of experience with student learning, taking on over 20 students from various Minnesota based programs prior to becoming a Designated Clinical Mentor for the UMN DPT Program. Additionally, Dan served s a clinical preceptor for 1st year DPT students as Walker Methodist and Pillars, and continues to assist in completing 2nd year Acute Care Skills Lab within the program. 

Throughout the pursuit of his degree, Dan had a strong clinical interest in outpatient sports medicine, manual therapy and recovery from orthopedic conditions. During his time in his acute care clinicals, he began to develop a strong interest for the acute care setting, something that he enjoys fostering and passing along to the students he mentors. Dan has developed a niche specialty in the clinical management of bariatric populations, older adults with chronic illnesses, those with poor socioeconomic status and those with increased psychosocial factors impacting safe discharge planning.

Dan enjoys mentoring UMN DPT students as he has an understanding of the program and enjoys bridging the gap in acute care awareness for the students. Dan finds that UMN students have excellent opportunities for education and learning throughout the program, a wide variety of experiences available that prepare them for their future in the PT world, and most importantly he enjoys being a part of that learning.

Tara earned her BS in Biomedical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and later returned to attend the University of Minnesota for her DPT degree. Since graduating, Tara has worked at MHealth Fairview - University of Minnesota East Bank campus in adult acute care. Tara has a passion for acute care with a special focus on working with medically complex and critically ill patients.  Tara developed a passion for acute care during her clinicals when she was able to combine her analytical engineering background with physical therapy to start patients on their journey to recovery. She has participated in the development and implementation of early mobilization protocols in the ICU, orienting and educating staff members, and furthering her own knowledge through research. Additionally, she enjoys integrating her 10+ years of coaching experience into her support of patients and progression of mobility.  

Tara is an APTA credentialed CI that has enjoyed sharing her acute care knowledge and passion with many different physical therapy students over the years. She truly enjoys mentoring students about the value of acute care therapy and assisting them to grow confidence in their own skills.

Abby earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Carroll University and is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy. At the Neuroscience Center in St. Paul, Abby’s main clinical interests include vestibular, aquatics, chronic pain, and neurologic physical therapy.

Abby has presented locally on the translating research into clinical practice, COVID-19 rehabilitation implications, and Functional Neurological Disorder. In addition to presenting, she helps coordinate research for the Minnesota Regional Spinal Cord Injury Model System and develop Clinical Practice Guidelines for stroke, traumatic brain injury, lymphedema, and multiple sclerosis.

While clinical practice is rewarding itself, Abby greatly enjoys sharing her knowledge with physical therapy students as a lab assistant and clinical instructor. She is an APTA credentialed CI and helps in the neuro and acute labs in the UMN DPT program. She enjoys showing students how to use evidence-based physical therapy while acknowledging the unique experiences and perspectives of each patient.